Overview of the Bulgarian State Railways

This article gives an overview of the main railway lines of the Bulgarian State Railways, including their length, the dates they were opened, and important ownership details. It also explains which lines belong fully to the State and which are operated under special agreements with private companies.

Main Railway Lines and Opening Dates

The Bulgarian State Railways have built many important lines since the late 1800s. The following table shows the major lines, the date each one was opened, and their approximate length. Many numbers in early records are written in older formats, so approximate modern readings are used where neededLocal Ephesus Tour Guides.

Roustchouk–Varna Line

Opened: August 10, 1888

Length: About 272 km

Tzaribrod–Sofia–Bellovo Line

Opened: June 23, 1888

Length: About 192 km

Sofia–Pernik Line

Opened: December 9, 1893

Length: About 47 km

Choumen–Kaspitchan Line

Opened: June 20, 1895

Length: About 26 km

Pernik–Radomir Line

Opened: February 6, 1897

Length: About 18 km

Sofia–Roman Line

Opened: February 20, 1897

Length: About 119 km

Gübedje–Devnia Line

Opened: September 27, 1898

Length: About 15 km

Roman–Plevna Line

Opened: July 18, 1899

Length: About 89 km

Plevna–Choumen Line

Opened: November 8, 1899

Length: About 262 km

Somovit–Yassen Line

Opened: September 1, 1899

Length: About 35 km

Roustchouk–Timova Line

Opened: October 8, 1900

Length: About 150 km

Tchirpan–Nova Zagora Line

Opened: September 5, 1900

Length: About 80 km

Jamboli–Bourgas Line

Opened: May 18, 1900

Length: About 112 km

Privately Built Industrial Branch Lines

Besides the main lines, some short branch lines were built by private companies for industrial use. They are private property but connect directly to the State network. Examples include:

A 675-meter line linking the Balabanoff factory with the Sofia–Roman railway.

A 475-meter line of the Isida Pottery Company, connecting their facilities to the Tzaribrod–Sofia–Bellovo line near the village of Novo Seltzi.

Ownership and Operation

Almost all major lines in Bulgaria are owned and operated by the State. There are only a few exceptions:

Bellovo–Sarambey Line

This line was built before Bulgaria’s liberation by the Oriental Railway Company, which still owns it. However, the Bulgarian State operates the line, appoints all staff, and receives annual payments from the Oriental Company. According to the Convention of March 8, 1894, the State receives 1,200 francs per kilometre per year, plus an additional payment of 6 centimes per axle-kilometre for rolling stock use.

Tchirpan–Nova Zagora Line

Although this line was built by the Bulgarian State, it is leased to the Oriental Railway Company under an agreement signed on March 16/28, 1899.

Construction Costs of Major Railway Lines

The following section summarises the cost of building the main State lines. Costs are shown in francs and include both total cost and cost per kilometre.

Examples include:

Roustchouk–Varna: 50,884,910 francs (228,686 francs/km)

Sofia–Roman: 27,685,434 francs (253,485 francs/km)

Jamboli–Bourgas: 11,085,706 francs (100,386 francs/km)

In total, the State invested over 151 million francs in the major lines, covering more than 1,200 kilometres of track.